099: How to stand out in the UX Job Search Funnel

Don’t forget! Don't miss Sarah's upcoming workshop on December 11, where she'll share detailed strategies for standing out in the UX job search funnel. Visit careerstrategylab.com/events to register.

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah dives into the art of standing out in a competitive job market, especially when it comes to UX roles. With practical insights drawn from her experience coaching thousands of candidates and hiring across various industries, Sarah breaks down the "UX job search funnel"—a step-by-step process from applications to job offers. She explains how thinking like a UX designer can transform your approach to job searching, helping you tailor your materials, impress recruiters, and leave a lasting impact at every stage of the hiring process.

Sarah emphasizes the importance of specificity, strategy, and user-focused thinking in your job search. She shares actionable tips on crafting resumes that grab attention, acing screener calls, and preparing for panel interviews. By treating recruiters and hiring managers as "users" of your job search funnel, you can strategically design each interaction to showcase your unique value. This episode is packed with advice that will empower you to move from being one of hundreds of applicants to the one who lands the offer.

Quotables

"When you are average, you blend in. You need to stop talking about your skills and experience in vague, generic terms and start selling the unique product of you." – Sarah

"Think of your job search like a UX problem: design for the recruiters and hiring managers by understanding their journey and pain points." – Sarah

Helpful related episodes

E88: Troubleshoot your resume with these 11 questions

E80: How to include numbers on your resume even if you think you don’t have them

E64: Interview with Cheryl Platz: UX Portfolios, Storytelling, & Hiring Process Insights

E42: Do hiring managers and recruiters spend six seconds on your resume?

E05: 5 tips from hiring managers and recruiters about your job search and more

Timestamps

00:33 The Importance of Strategy

01:16 Understanding the UX Job Search Funnel

01:24 Challenges of Average Candidates

02:22 What is the UX Job Search Funnel?

03:16 Steps in the UX Job Search Funnel

04:26 Using Your UX Superpower

05:10 Avoiding Average: How to Stand Out

07:52 Quick Tips for Each Funnel Step

09:52 Preparing for Screener Calls

11:51 Nailing the Hiring Manager Interview

13:30 Panel Interviews: What to Expect

15:27 The Offer Stage: Final Steps

20:48 Building Visibility on LinkedIn

25:37 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

27:10 Upcoming Workshop and Closing Remarks

🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.